SPOONER, WI -- This is an update on the Spooner Middle School (SMS) where a strong epoxy-like odor spread through the building on 11/10/2021. In this incident, some SMS students and staff members become ill and needed medical treatment as well as everyone in the building having to be evacuated.
The most critical piece of this matter continues to be the health and safety of our students and staff members. Results of environmental testing conducted by three separate environmental health and safety companies as well as agency reports have been received. Some additional investigation is needed before we can be assured that the building can safely be reopened for students and staff members. The building remains closed by order of the Spooner Fire Department.
There has been a lot of interest and excitement about students resuming some face-to-face interaction with their teachers and friends. Space limitations of alternate sites for continuing in-person learning do not allow for all SMS students to be together at the same time under one roof. However, the SMS Team has developed a schedule to provide in-person learning for students in each grade level on a rotating schedule in an alternate location. That schedule is included with this update.
Students will continue learning remotely when their grade is not scheduled for in-person learning. The temporary schedule will begin on Monday, December 13th. We anticipate that this schedule will remain in place until the start of Winter Break on 12/23/2021. Families will receive information about the temporary schedule along with logistical details later today.
The unpredicted closing of Spooner Middle School has been difficult for students, their families and our staff members. We appreciate everybody’s patience and understanding while work continues to reopen the school safely for everyone.
Schedule
Dear Parent(s)/Guardian(s),
First, let me thank you for your support and understanding as we navigate the twists and turns of the evacuation that occurred on November 10th. There continues to be concerns and questions related to opening our building. While we are in the business of educating, our first priority is the safety of our students and staff. Be assured we have been working diligently to come up with an alternative plan that would allow for in person learning until circumstances change and we can be in our classrooms everyday.
At this time we have made arrangements to utilize the Spooner Civic Center for each grade level to have two days of in person instruction in combination with days of remote instruction. Buses will pick students up as usual and drop them off by the Library and Civic Center. Students will be picked up at 2:55 p.m. and transported to the Spooner Elementary School to get on their regular bus. Students not being bused can be picked up and dropped off at the civic center.
Below is a schedule of the in person instruction for each grade. When your student is not scheduled to attend in person they will resume remote instruction until Christmas break.
- Monday, December 13 and Tuesday, December 14 - 8th grade students will report to the Spooner Civic Center for in person instruction.
- Wednesday, December 15 and Thursday, December 16 - 6th grade students will report to the Spooner Civic Center for in person instruction.
- Friday, December 17 and Monday, December 20 - 5th grade students will report to the Spooner Civic Center for in person instruction.
- Tuesday, December 21 and Wednesday, December 22 - 7th grade students will report to the Spooner Civic Center for in person instruction.
- All students with an Individualized Education Plan will be able to attend all the in person instructional days.
If you choose to keep your student home on the in person instructional days they will be responsible for following the lesson plans that are posted and independently completing the tasks that are assigned to them. During the days your student’s class is in person there will be no live streaming. Students will be provided a Grab n Go breakfast and a lunch when they are at the Civic Center. We will be taking the students outside for a short recess as well so please be sure to have your child dress for the weather. Students should bring all necessary classroom supplies.
We are extremely grateful for your flexibility and resilience as we work together to get through this difficult situation. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or need clarification on our plan.
Respectfully,
Miss Giesrege
Middle School Principal
Last Update: Dec 10, 2021 10:32 am CST
